Dahab, Red Sea, Egypt

Photo: Jane Morgan Photo: Jane Morgan Photo: Jane Morgan Photo: Jane Morgan

THE DESTINATION

Enfolded by the golden granite mountains of Sinai and the rich blues of the Red Sea, Dahab is approximately 100km northwest of the bustling resort of Sharm El Sheikh and is a lure for both divers and windsurfers.Winter appeal Egypt’s mellow northern Sinai resorts offer the perfect antidote to Christmas overkill.

Winter deals to the Bedouin settlement also seriously beckon the off-peak traveller, with flights, accommodation and basic dive packages offered for just a few hundred pounds. There is accommodation to suit all budgets, from the Hilton with its private beach to the backpacker hostels across the main seafront.

The hassle-free, current-free diving here attracts an eclectic mix of diving types, from hardcore deep divers and free-divers to yoga divers and those simply wanting a good choice of easy, accessible shore dives. All the dives here can be accessed by shore and offer a mix of coral gardens, canyons, caves, arches and walls. Its lack of current action restricts the number of large visitors here, although it is not unusual to spot the odd manta ray. Onshore winds can make it tricky to enter some of the sites, but there are plenty of sheltered sites to explore.

WHAT TO PACK

Water temperatures in Dahab are usually a degree or two colder than the dive sites around Sharm El Sheikh. Expect temperatures of around 20–21°C in the coldest months of January and February. A full 5-7mm suit will offer good protection against the cold. As Dahab is exposed to winds, it is advised to bring a good fleece and hat to jump into to get away from the sharp post-dive windchill.

Bring light casual clothing for the day, suitable for surface temperatures of around 23°C. Jumpers, jackets and long trousers are recommended for the cooler evenings.

GETTING THERE

Dahab is just over an hour’s drive from the international airport of Sharm El Sheikh to the south. Flight time from London is around five hours. Visitors also have the option of flying to the quiet airport of Taba, which is two hours’ drive from the north.

SITES NOT TO BE MISSED

The Bells: This site is situated 100m north of Dahab’s most famous dive site, the Blue Hole. An 18m-long narrow chimney in the reef leads you out into the blue at 28m, where you follow the life-encrusted reef wall to an access point to the Blue Hole. Crossing over a ‘saddle’ on the wall at 6m, there is not much in the way of life at the Blue Hole for recreational divers, but it provides a natural exit point for the Bells dive.

The Islands: Although not as widely talked about as the Blue Hole or the Canyon, the Islands offer some of the best diving in Dahab. The shallow coral garden is densely covered with hard and soft corals, providing home to a plethora of macro creatures. A good choice for visiting underwater photographers.

Gabr El Bint: This site offers the only real current diving action in Dahab. Accessed by boat or by camel, it is located approximately 30km south of Dahab. The wall, which sees unpredictable and strong currents, begins at around 10m and slopes down to depths beyond 50m. Huge gorgonian fans and soft coral are the main attractions here.